Then Keefe added insult to injury with his trifecta of two goals and a fight–finally something expected on a night of surprises.

Prucha, taking his puck and stick to Russia to play in the KHL, and Boedker, getting recalled to Phoenix, took a big chunk out of the Rampage power play.

Ironically, the Rampage came out with some fire in the belly, notching the game’s first six shots and some good chances on Pearce.

But, in a foreshadowing of the upcoming evening, the Griffins scored on their first shot four minutes into the game.

When Keefe scored on a deflection late in the period, you knew this one wasn’t going to be in the cards.

When Keefe scored again on a breakaway coming out of the penalty box in the second period, on a backhand flip no less, it was time to look ahead to OKC Saturday night.

Throw in that BOTH referees, Tudor Floru (really? Tudor Floru?) and Chris Ciamaga, missed an obvious no goal call on Tomas Tatar’s second period goal and the evidence was overwhelming.

This was not going to be the Rampage’s night.

In a wild scramble in the San Antonio goal crease, Tatar, who scored his first NHL with the Red Wings last weekend, pounced on the loose puck and flipped in the net. However, the net was already off the moorings on the left side, sitting agape at about 2 o’clock. Neither Ciamarga nor Tudor saw the cage amiss and allowed Tatar’s goal to stand, making it 4-1 and for all intents and purposes…hockey game-Griffins.

This situation begs the question, why bother having two guys on the ice with orange stripes on their arms and they both get it wrong?

After the Rampage pulled to within two on Maxim Goncharov’s powerplay goal (four game point streak for the rookie defenseman) midway through the third period, the Griffins scored again on their first shot of the third period after 16 Rampage shots in the final session…exhibit 12 that Rampage were going home empty handed.

Pearce was incredible in the third — stopping two Rampage breakaways and 23 shots (the Griffins had two goals on four shots) to keep SA from getting the comeback going.

The only consolation for the setback — OKC was taking out Peoria, 5-2 in Illinois and Milwaukee was down 2-0 in Manitoba, as the West Division’s tight race didn’t overwhelm the Rampage.

Unlike former friend and ally — Adam Keefe.

Additional Notes — Congrats to Rampage forward Brett MacLean on his second selection to the AHL All-Star team, and defenseman Garrett Stafford for his pick as a starter for the contest later this month in Hershey, PA.

Jamie Bates scored his first AHL goal to get the Rampage within 3-1 in the second period. Bates was called up from Las Vegas earlier in the day, where he led the Wranglers in scoring.

Teachers can get a free ticket to Saturday’s game against the Barons by showing their school ID at the Northeast Box Office prior to the game.

And if you’re looking to take a group to the home game against the Chicago Wolves, Jan 28, the last home game for the Rampage before the long rodeo road trip, be thinking balcony locations. Most lower bowl tickets are already taken as the Rampage may break an attendance record for that game.